Chapter 5
Spying and infiltration
A few days had passed since Grim and Harbinger joined the White Storm. Meanwhile, Colonel Drayen had read and reread the report on this mission to Chandrilla. Something was bothering him about it, something he couldn't let go. That's why he called the ten members of the squad into his personal office.
When the stormtroopers entered this office, they were surprised for various reasons. The cleanliness of this office is a reflection of the man to whom it belongs, no one can deny that. The room features gray paneled walls, a black floor and a large panoramic window showing the vast, dark space. Near the space's viewport, Shon has a black, semicircle-shaped desk that features storage compartments and a holoprojector. In addition, there's a door on either side of the room, probably leading to the colonel's bedroom and more private parts of these quarters.
Shon stands facing the space through the window, arms folded behind his back.
"The universe is full of so many secrets, isn't it?" he said, before turning and sitting down at his desk.
As usual, and because Shon had already asked them to, the members of the White Storm took off their helmets, which they all kept under their arms. All except Grim, of course.
"I hope you've been able to settle in well." says the colonel, looking at Grim and Harbinger. "But as much as I'd like to discuss this with you, there are other priorities. I've decided to broaden your scope of action and, thanks to the agreement given by our Supreme Leader, you're going to D'Qar to find the source of this resistance led by Leia Organa."
The ten teammates looked at each other before Dorvaas spoke for the group.
"The mission could go badly wrong if you have to infiltrate an entire planet occupied by the enemy."
"That's why you'll be going in as a civilian, posing as potential recruits to these remnants of the Rebel Alliance." Shon says with sorrow.
There was no response, and everyone understood the importance of this mission more or less immediately.
"To acquire all the information the First Order needs, you'll have to infiltrate as close as possible to the enemy and pretend to be them. I'm well aware that getting up close and personal with these vermin will be... a burden, but you'll be rewarded, I assure you." Shon continued.
Although some of them probably wanted to grit their teeth or express disagreement, they held back. They've learned to obey orders, whatever the circumstances and whatever they have to endure to do so. They're not the elite for nothing.
"A civilian ship will be sent to you, arriving aboard the Servitor in a few moments. If you don't have any questions, I'll order you to go."
The mission orders are clear, so clear that no one had any questions about them. But as the White Storm soldiers turned to leave Colonel Drayen's office, Harbinger didn't move.
"Why not sending people from the First Order Security Bureau?" she suddenly asks.
To everyone's surprise, Shon didn't take this remark the wrong way.
"Excellent question. Although the Bureau's agents do an excellent job, most of them don't know the rudiments of combat, unlike you. Your expertise will make your cover all the more credible, and will come in handy if things go wrong, as they did on Chandrilla."
Harbinger merely nodded, acquiescing with this answer. It's true that the White Storm has a variety of qualities that are unique within the First Order, and to be part of it is the greatest honor a Stormtrooper can have.
Dorvaas saluted the colonel on his way out, he holds him in high esteem. Many others in his position would use such a squad to curry favor with Supreme Leader Snoke, but would have no consideration for these soldiers, deeming them expendable. But Shon Drayen is different, he knows the importance of every life and respects each member of the White Storm.
Walking silently through the Destroyer's corridors, the White Storm headed for the gigantic ship's left hangar. Inside, they could see a much dirtier ship, with a very different appearance from the other First Order ships around. This is a YT-2660 Light Freighter, but it has clearly seen better days. The ship isn't very big, barely 17 meters long and 10 wide. It is fitted with a laser cannon on the top, but this should not be used.
"Come on, guys, all aboard." Dorvaas says.
The boarding ramp opens and, one by one, each soldier enters the ship. The interior has nothing to do with the outside, it's rather spacious and really clean. Judging by the cleanliness of the ship's interior, it's quite certain that it was cleaned as soon as it arrived to make it as presentable and welcoming as possible.
"It's much nicer than I thought it would be! This mission won't be so bad after all." Corny says going to sit in the lounge are, facing an holochess table.
"Brains, go to the cockpit and get the ship airborne. Reaper, if there's room, you can go too." Dorvaas says to the duo.
The two soldiers immediately head for the cockpit and, to their surprise, it's rather large, containing a total of four seats. Brains takes the pilot's seat and Reaper sits next to him.
"All the systems are ready, we can go." Reaper says, checking all the settings on the console.
"Good. Watch out, everyone, we're taking off!" Brains says before the ship leaves the hangar.
Still in his office, Shon watches the ship pass by through the window before it enters hyperspace. He doesn't say anything, but it's likely that he had a thought for the soldiers on board at the time.
While still traveling at light speed towards D'Qar, Dorvaas circles the ship. It has four cabins, two singles with just one bed and two double with a bunk bed and desk each. There's also a comm station, a medical bay with a bed and a bacta tank, and a bathroom. In addition, the storage area features an access ramp and a speeder that can be quickly deployed via an elevator that descends below the ship.
"It's much more comfortable than the troop transport, isn't it?" Doc says to his friend.
"Of course, but this isn't a vacation, and we mustn't forget our objective."
At the same time, Brains and Reaper left the cockpit.
"The autopilot is engaged until we reach D'Qar orbit. This ship is really not bad at all."
"It's perfect. Gather round, everyone. I'll give you a quick briefing." Dorvaas says to his teammates.
Everyone gathers in the central part of the ship, standing in a semi-circle in front of their sergeant.
"Well, as you know, we already have clear mission orders, but I've thought of a slightly different approach to this highly important mission. First of all, only Harbinger, Doc and myself will be infiltrating the base. Grim, Brains and Reaper will remain on the ship to provide communications and protection. Under no circumstances should you be spotted by the enemy. Bullseye will be in charge of eliminating two soldiers and recovering their outfits. As a result, he and Butcher will pose as soldiers already in place to gain easier access to certain areas of the base. Corny and Cyclops, you'll be on patrol outside the ship, ready to step in and help one of the three groups if the need arises. Is that understood?"
All answer in unison.
"That's what I wanted to hear. I have confidence in each and every one of you for this mission. Once we have the information we need, we'll leave as soon as possible." Dorvaas continues.
No one knows what the Resistance is up to, so it's up to these ten soldiers to uncover their plans. This is surely the pinnacle of the First Order's missions, a mission that could be the start of a new galactic conflict. But the remnants of the Empire have been transformed into something much larger and ready for war, which is certainly not the case with the opposing forces.
The freighter finally arrives near D'Qar, exiting hyperspace just beyond the tracking zone.
"Okay Brains, make us invisible."
"I've prepared a little surprise for them, sergeant."
Connecting a device to the ship's control station, Brains manages to make it undetectable to enemy radar. Even advanced tracking systems like those of the First Order would have trouble detecting the ship now. Brains takes over the controls and begins a descent into the planet's atmosphere. A verdant forest stretches to the horizon with no sign of human presence. No villages, no buildings, and above all, no bases. Until a bit is heard in the ship.
"We pick up a communication." Harbinger says, sitting at the comm station.
"For us?" Dorvaas asks.
"No, long-range communication." the girl replies.
"Find the source, it's probably the enemy base."
Dorvaas, still leaning back in one of the cockpit seats, refocused his gaze on the landscape stretching out in front of him. Brains spots a landing zone.
"We can land in this quarry, where we'll have plenty of cover."
"I'll let you take care of that." Dorvaas says before getting back to the central room.
Harbinger had just finished picking up the signal.
"Sergeant, the signal is coming from the north, and it's not very far."
Dorvaas put a hand on Harbinger's shoulder as a sign of his good work. At the same time, Brains finished landing. Doc began to remove his armor and Dorvaas followed him before it was Harbinger's turn.
"And what are you going to wear instead?" Corny asks.
"I spotted some civilian clothes in the shipment, probably a helping hand from the colonel." Doc answers before going to the cargo area.
The crate he'd spotted, because it was already open, contained various items of clothing. He grabs three outfits and brings them to his teammates.
"Here you go." Doc says, handing an outfit to Harbinger and Dorvaas. "It's not the best clothes, but our cover will be better this way."
"You're right." Dorvaas responds while changing his clothes.
All three end up totally unrecognizable. Harbinger loosens her hair and makes it dirtier by rubbing the fabric of the cloth on it. Brains holds out his hand to Dorvaas to give him a small electronic device.
"With this, all our transmissions are silenced and cannot be intercepted."
"What would we do without you." Dorvaas replies smiling.
"You'd already be in enemy hands." Brains responds, having trouble with the humor.
The boarding ramp lowers and Harbinger exits the ship, followed by Doc. Dorvaas glances at the rest of his companions on board.
"I'll wait for your transmission, Bullseye."
The sniper only gives a hand signal to confirm that the job will be done. Dorvaas then leaves the ship.
On board, Brains gets installed at the comm station to have full control over all audio transmissions in the sector. Grim observes the laser cannon controls. He's pretty good at using this kind of thing, it's what he's good at. Cyclops and Corny take the necessary equipment, donning khaki ponchos to cover their white bodies.
"Well, we're going. We'll be in touch, good luck to you." Cyclops says before taking the lead, followed by Corny.
Further into the forest, the group led by Dorvaas makes its way until it spots some warehouses in the distance.
"This is the base. We should be meeting soldiers soon."
And indeed, shortly after Dorvaas said this, a patrol of two soldiers arrived in front of them.
"Who are you? What are you doing here?" one of the soldiers says, pointing a gun at them.
Dorvaas raises his hands, followed by Doc and Harbinger.
"Our ship crashed into a nearby lake, and we managed to get off before it sank. I'm Dogan and this is Dash and Hala, we came here following rumors of a new Rebel Alliance. We'd like to help."
The two Resistance soldiers stand perplexed for a moment. After this brief moment of reflection, the second man puts his hand on his colleague's blaster to lower it.
"We'll take you to our General, she'll know what to do with you."
The three undercover Stormtroopers lowered their hands and followed the two resistance fighters. The first part of their infiltration of the base seems to have been a success.
At the same time, Bullseye and Butcher are wandering through the forest around the base, looking for an isolated group of two soldiers. They have left their armor on the ship and are wearing only their black body gloves. The sharpshooter knows what he has to do: like a Nexus ready to pounce on its prey, he waits for the right moment.
"Bullseye." Butcher murmurs with the utmost precaution.
When he turned around, Bullseye understood why his partner had called him. He saw two soldiers sitting on a tree stump.
"Do you want me to take care of the second one?" Butcher asks.
"Don't bother." Bullseye whispers, looking for the best angle.
He moved into position, resting his barrel on a branch to support his weapon. And when he was ready, he fired. The shot is clean and precise and, if that wasn't enough, it takes out both soldiers in one fell swoop. Silent and deadly, no warning can be given with such a shot.
"Well done, let's go put on their outfit." Butcher says making his way down to the corpses.
The two men put on the clothes of the two Resistance soldiers and collect everything they need, before hiding the bodies in tall grass. The illusion is perfect: they can now pass themselves off as the enemy. They set off in the direction of the base.
"Shouldn't we call the sergeant and tell him we've got the outfits?" Butcher asks.
Bullseye lets out a low growl.
"If we do, and he's not alone, the enemy could blow his cover."
And indeed, Bullseye was right. Dorvaas's group was still being escorted to the Resistance base. Passing among the parked x-wings, Dorvaas takes the opportunity to observe the enemy forces out of the corner of his eye. Just then, a pilot emerges from a black-and-orange ship. The two soldiers escorting the undercover Stormtroopers approach him.
"So, Poe, how was the mission?" one of them asks to the pilot.
"I observed a TIE fighter patrol escorting a transport ship, the First Order is up to something. And you, Porro, what do you do with these civilians?"
"I escort them to the General. They apparently want to join our ranks."
Poe puts his hand on Dorvaas's shoulder.
"We're never enough, so volunteers are always welcome. Well, I'll let you go, I've got some revision work to do on my ship."
"See you later, Poe."
The two soldiers set off again, followed by Dorvaas, Doc and Harbinger. They continued walking until they entered a command room. Inside is a person wearing a long gray robe, standing next to a holographic table.
"General Organa, I must speak with you."
The elderly woman turns to approach the soldiers. Dorvaas looks her in the eye, this is the famous Leia Organa. And what's more, it was made public that she is the daughter of Darth Vader himself. All that's left is to gain her trust as quickly as possible and extract information that could be of interest to the First Order.